Releasing device for grapples.



E. B. WILLIAMS. RELEASING DEVICE FOR GRAPPLES.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.5, 1912.

Patented Aug". 26, 1913.

B. Mama,

EDEN BIRE WILLIAMS, OF CHAMBEBLIN, LOUISIANA.

RELEASING DEVICE FOR GRAPPLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

Application filed October 5, 1912. Serial No. 724,092.

T p all whom it may mm Beit known that I, EDEN Bum WiLLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chamberlin, in the parish of Vest Baton Rouge and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvemeats in Releasing Devices for Grapples;

and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it ap'pertains to make and use the same. i

The present invention relates to grapples used in connection with log hauling apparatus and the like, and more especially to a device for automatically effecting the release ofthe grapple from the log when the log has been brought to theodesired position; and wherein the device willbe positive in its operation; and which is of simple and durab e construction.

In hauling logs, it frequently happens that the workmen are injured and, in fact, oftentimes kill by the rolling logs, such accidents happening while said workmen are manually removing the grapples from the logs, as is generally practiced.

It is therefore the purpose of the present invention to provide an arrangement which will accomplish the result desired (2'. 0., the automatic release of the grapple) by the same hauling power that is used for moving the lo V WitIt these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel details of construction and combinations of parts more fully hereinafter disclosed and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the device and its manner'of application.

Referring to the construction in detail, 1 indicates the grapple or tongs consisting of a pair of bars having hooked endsfor engaging in the log A, and pivoted together at 2, as in the usual manner. A pair of rings 3are carried by the free ends of the grapple arms and have loose engagement with a shackle 4, that is in turn pivotally connected to a link or casing 5 t-hrough the medium of a belt or pin Gthat is mounted in lugs 7, formed on one end of said link 5. he link 5 has connection with a link 10 on he hauling line or chain 8 through the medium of a hook or bar 9 which is pivotally mounted on said link. The hook 9 is pivotally mounted on a p n 11, that is secured to lugs 12 on the opposite end of the link, as shown. The hook 9 is normally held in position during the strain incident to hauling by a latch 13, that is pivotally mounted on the shackle bolt 6' between the lugs 7, said latchhaving an opening 14 through which the enlarged end 15 of the hookpasses. Said enlarged portion of the hook is cut away, as at 16, whereby to engage with the latch 13 and hold the parts'in secured relation and against rattling. \Vhen thehook and latch are engaged, i. 6., just previous to hauling the log, said hook is automatically held in position through the medium of a support or trigger 17 that has a bifurcated end 18 for'engaging said hook, and is pivotally mounted at,19. to the link 5.

The several parts are held in the position shown by full lines in the drawing just before the log is hauled, but immediately strain is exerted on the hook 9, the trigger 17 will fall through its own weight tothc position shown in broken lines, and thereafter said hook is held in engagement with the latch 13 by the strain on the cable or chain 8. When said strain is released, as for instance when the log has been hauled to position, the hook 9 will fall by gravity due to its weighted end 15, and when thus released from the latch 13,,said. latch will fall into substantially that position shown in broken lines. To insure the falling of the latch*13, there is provided a spring 20 secured at one end 21 to the link 5, and at its other end to a downward '22 of the latch 13. The disconnection between the hook 9 and latch 13 prevents any further hauling of the log, for when the chain or cable 8 is again drawn, said hook 9 turns on its pivot 11 and allows the link 10 to he slipped from engagement therewith, as will be understood.

The means for disengaging the grapple from the log, after the hauling connection has been automatically disengaged, consists of a line or chain 23 connected at its respective ends 24 and 25 to one arm of the grapple and the cable 8. With this device, the further'pu lling on the cable 8 operates to pull on the line 23 and this in turn pulls on the grapple and operates to disengage the same from the log when the whole appartus is released and free to be used for further hauling.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the logs may be hauled as in the usual manner and with the same case as heretofore, and in will be urther noted additionthe hauling devicemay be automaticall released when desired. And it that the present device l dispenses with the services of those Whose duty it is to manually release the grapple hooks, and in additionsaves the employer from the liability of workmen being maimed or killed in the line of labor.

It is obvious that'those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction and a1 *rangement of parts Without departing from the spirit of my invention, andtherefore I donot wish to be limited to such features except as may be required by the claim.

What I claim is The combination with a grapple of' means for closing and hauling the same comprising a link, a hook pivotally mounted on the I link, a haulingline or cable detachably connected to said book, a latch pivotally mount- Copies of this patent maybe obtained for five cents ed on the link and adapted for engaging with said hook and through strain on said'line, a device for temporarily holding said hook in engagement with said latch, said latch adapted to be automatically disengaged from said hook when strain is removed from the line, a spring for throwing said latch into disengagingposition, and a line having its respective ends connected with the grapple and said hauling line for disengaging said grapple after the disconnection ofsaid hauling line, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I afiix. my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

EDEN BIRE :WILLIAMs.

Witnesses FRANK- BOYER, L. H. BROUSSARD.

each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

holding the same 

